Liam and Gordon

In his speech to the annual Labour party conference in Bournemouth, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised the work of youngster Liam Fairhurst in raising awareness and money for CLIC Sargent - the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity.

Following his diagnosis with cancer in 2005, 12-year-old Liam, from Cambridgeshire, has raised £120,000 for CLIC Sargent, motivating his local community and persuading millionaires to part with their money on television in the process.

Emily Bird, Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager at CLIC Sargent was at the Labour party conference to hear the speech and said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister chose to publicly celebrate the hard work and dedication of young charity champion Liam Fairhurst. As part of his most important speech of the year, the Prime Minister has recognised the vital role that CLIC Sargent plays in supporting children with cancer and their families, every step of the way.

“We are also pleased that in his speech the Prime Minister outlined his commitment to supporting parents working and caring for disabled children. Our research has shown that parents of children with cancer can struggle to balance their caring commitments with their work, and in many cases this can lead to them being sidelined for employment opportunities, or that they lose their jobs completely. We hope that in his new carers’ strategy, the Prime Minister offers parents the full range of workplace rights that they need.

“Finally we were delighted to hear that the Government is committing itself to investment in research looking at the causes of, and possible treatments for, cancer and other deadly diseases. This is vital if survival rates for childhood cancers are to improve further. Whilst outcomes for children with cancer have improved dramatically over the past thirty years, from a time when only three in 10 were likely to survive, to the current situation where seven in 10 do, the only way this trend will continue is if more research is done.”

Liam Fairhurst was diagnosed with a synovial sarcoma (tumour) in his left leg in June 2005. To mark the anniversary of the end of his treatment in December 2005 and to honour the memory of his friend, Jack, whom he met in the hospital ward but who sadly passed away last year, Liam arranged a one mile swim to raise funds for CLIC Sargent.  He set himself a fundraising target of £1,000 but soon surpassed this target, raising more than £20,000 from the swim alone. In January 2007, Liam appeared on ITV’s Million Pound Giveaway, securing £50,000 from the show’s millionaire panel to fund a new CLIC Sargent caravan.  His fundraising efforts have continued throughout the year.   During the summer, the caravan was opened by Liam and his family.    

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown initially met Liam earlier this year, when he presented Liam with a Diana Award.

Notes to Editor:

• For more information contact Karen Baxter, PR Manager, CLIC Sargent on  0117 314 8620 or mobile: 07917 805488 / email: Karen.baxter@clicsargent.org.uk  / mediarelations@clicsargent.org.uk